NYC mayor Mamdani revives pool tradition with clothed jump

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani revived a long-dormant municipal tradition on Saturday by jumping into a public swimming pool fully clothed to mark the opening of the city's 2026 outdoor pool season. The event took place at the Thomas Jefferson Pool on East 114th Street in East Harlem, where Mamdani, dressed in a formal suit, tie, and black socks, plunged into the water accompanied by Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura.

The ceremonial pool jump, a practice not seen for over a decade, was last performed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in 2013. Mayors Bill de Blasio and Eric Adams did not continue the tradition during their tenures. In March, Mamdani indicated he was likely to revive it, telling a reporter, "I'm gonna be honest, I may do it. I may commit to it." His dive into the waist-deep water technically violated the pool's dress code, which requires swimmers to wear bathing suits.

The opening day celebration also highlighted the 90th anniversary of New York City's public swimming facilities. Emerging from the pool in his soaked suit, Mamdani told reporters the event was a celebration of "90 years of public swimming in our...